Contenders for the England job

Tuesday, 29 June 2010



Here, Press Association Sport looks at the contenders to bring the roar back to the Three Lions.

ROY HODGSON

Impressed hugely at Fulham, dragging the Cottagers away from relegation trouble three seasons ago, then taking them into Europe and then to the Europa League final. Said to have stalled on accepting the Liverpool job because there was a chance England could come calling. Spells with Switzerland and Finland means he knows the international scene. Has managed Inter Milan as well and, at 62, has plenty of experience.

HARRY REDKNAPP

A rare English manager who has won a major trophy - the 2008 FA Cup with Portsmouth. Guided Tottenham to the Carling Cup final a year later but lost on penalties to Manchester United but made amends by taking Spurs into next season's Champions League. Widely respected, plenty of contacts and plays football in an eye-catching manner.

MARTIN O'NEILL

Interviewed for the job in 2006 and bound to be mentioned this time around given the manner in which he has maintained Aston Villa's position at the top end of the table. Also led Villa to the Carling Cup final and FA Cup semi-final last season. Solid credentials following trophy-winning spells at Leicester and Celtic.

STUART PEARCE

Current England Under-21 coach and a member of Fabio Capello's coaching team at the World Cup. Pearce has enjoyed a successful time with the Under-21s, reaching the 2007 European Championship semi-finals and the final two years later, where England were beaten by Germany. Unsuccessful two-year stint as Manchester City boss and the FA may feel he is still too inexperienced.

PIM VERBEEK

Current Australian manager. Pim has done an excellent job with the Australian side having successfully lead them through Asian qualification for the first time. Verbeek is a dour no nonsense manager who would not fall for the player celebrities in the English team. Verbeek may just be the man England needs to lead them to glory in the European Championship in 2012.

MARCELLO LIPPI

World Cup winner four years ago when he guided Italy to glory despite the match-fixing scandal that engulfed Italian football. Found it harder this time around though. Like Capello, an impressive CV. But would the FA dump one Italian, then appoint another?

SAM ALLARDYCE

Popular figure in the game and a contender in 2006 when Steve McClaren got the job. Has done a solid job at Blackburn after failing to make any impression at Newcastle. However, it could be that his time to land the England role has gone.

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/contenders-for-the-england-job-14858429.html#ixzz0sCq03zSZ